Bücher der Reihe Routledge/ECPR Studies in European Political Science

This volume explores a variety of forms of transnational private governance where non-state actors cooperate across borders to establish rules and standards accepted as legitimate by other agents.

Looking at the political future of democracy, and the ideas aimed at renewing popular power, this book explores the following themes: the importance of public deliberation in democracies; how effective representation for all might be achieved; and, the role that voluntary associations can play in democratic governance.

The European Commission is an organization which has come to fascinate or repulse a range of national politicians, journalists and social scientists. In contrast to the prevailing image of the Commission as a "bureaucrat's paradise" and by using the results of original research, this text investigates this organization's relationship to politics.

Presents an overview of the study of political discussion in comparative politics. This book studies deliberation and discussion as the object of analysis. It makes a significant contribution toward broader theories of political communication, deliberative democracy, discussion networks analyses, and political behaviour.

Offers insights into interactions between states and non-state actors including domains beyond intergovernmental organizations, conventional non-governmental organizations, and multinational enterprises. This book covers a range of arrangements, from formal devolutions of power to lax and informal platforms of interaction between private actors.

This timely volume provides one of the first critical assessments of the draft Constitution (released by the Convention on the future of Europe) from the vantage point of political theory.

Drawing on case studies from Denmark, The Netherlands and the UK, this book discusses new information and communication technologies. It explores their role in the restructuring of Western democratic political systems.

The first comparative study of the politics of policy innovation in the field of unemployment. The contributors provide a thorough and lucid analysis of past government failures, and look to possible future strategies.

Brings together country specialists, researchers on the European Union, and international relations scholars to tackle a crucial question: how compatible are the new patterns of 'policy networks' and 'multi-level' governance with democratic standards?

Drawing upon the literatures of role analysis, international relations and European integration, this book develops a conceptual framework for considering and evaluating the roles played by the EU in international politics. It delivers a perspective on the analysis of the European Union as an international actor.

This book looks critically at administrative reform in a comparative perspective. The contributors assess its scope and objectives, and the ways in which these reforms have impacted on the traditional roles of civil servants.

This book offers a cross-national analysis of contemporary issues and challenges for the governing of urban regions.

This timely volume puts emphasis on the effect of social capital on everyday life: how the routines of daily life lead people to get involved in their communities. Focussing on its micro-level causes and consequences, the book's international contributors argue that social capital is fundamentally concerned with the value of social networks and about how people interact with each other. The book suggests that different modes of participation have different consequences for creating - or destroying - a sense of community or participation. The diversity of countries, institutions and groups dealt with - from Indian castes to Dutch churches, from highly competent 'everyday makers' in Scandinavia to politics-avoiding Belgian women and Irish villagers - offers fascinating case studies, and theoretical reflections for the present debates about civil society and democracy.

The European Union is one of the world's biggest economies. However, its role as an international actor is ambiguous and it's not always able to transform its political power into effective external policies. This book systematically links the EU's external relations to political theories, and shows how the theories need to be modified.

How much is democracy dependent upon supportive economic and social conditions? This volume covers key issues in the field of comparative politics such as: economic development and democracy; globalization and democracy; class and democracy; and state and democracy.

An examination of the vital role played by some of the countries in the semi-periphery within the global order. The text examines their responses and reactions to global change, and the place of regionalism within their foreign economic policy.

Provides a detailed examination of policy change with European and American case studies on welfare reform, education reform, the World Bank, tobacco control policy, energy policy, agricultural policy, pension reform and the impact of public opinion.

Provides an examination of the initiatives governments are exploring to reform the institutions and procedures of liberal democracy in order to provide more opportunities for political participation and inclusion. This book is aimed at students and researchers of political theory, democracy and comparative politics.

The European Commission is an organization which has come to fascinate or repulse a range of national politicians, journalists and social scientists. This book investigates this organization's relationship to politics.

This book examines the political activities of selected religious actors in Christian, Muslim and Judaist contexts in Europe and the Middle East. It explores the challenges these religious actors face in terms of citizenship, democracy, and secularisation.

Examines the conceptualisations, causes, and consequences of partisanship, one of the most fundamental concepts in contemporary political science. This book also presents a comprehensive account and assessment of partisanship in comparative empirical research.

The book presents a theoretically informed typology of modes of governance which is tested in a careful selection of comparative country and policy studies. At the core is the question whether the European Union is destined to a network type of governance and whether and how this type of governance will be translated into the member states. The individual chapters subject the governing patterns at European and national level to empirical scrutiny. Drawing on recent research findings in different issue areas - including monetary union, social affairs, environment, genetic engineering and market liberalisation in transport, banking, energy, professional services - the contributions highlight the impact of the European activities on policy-making process in the member states.

Examines the debates surrounding social capital, social movements and the role of civil society in emerging forms of governance. Divided into three sections, focusing on core aspects of civil society, this book draws on case studies from a range of countries. It is useful for those studying in the fields of political science and social policy.

Assesses the impact of international organizations in the implementation of internationally agreed policies.

Explores how intra-party politics affects government formation and termination in parliamentary systems, where the norm is the formation of coalition governments. This book assumes a diversity of preferences among party members and explores the incentives that give rise to coordinated party behavior at the electoral and legislative levels.

Helps to understand the rise, future and implications of two kinds of "integrity warriors" - official anti-corruption agencies (ACAs) and anti-corruption NGOs - and to locate them in a context and history of anti-corruption activity.

Explores the discursive constructions of gender equality and the implications of these understandings in a broad range of policy fields. This book lets you understand the dynamics and to reflect on the consequences of such discursive politics in policy making on gender equality. It is suitable for students of gender and women studies.

This book carves out a new area of democratisation studies by analysing the transnational dimension and the role of non state actors across three different geographical regions. Chapters use data from Europe, Africa and Latin America.

Theories of Secession presents a systematic analysis of the rise of secessionist movements in global politics. Bringing together a collection of experts in the field, it provides a timely forum for debate in this contentious area of study.

Federalism and Political Performance features a panel of international experts who compare the political performance of federal and non-federal states and evaluate the impact of different types of federation.